Once upon a time, there was Ben and Kathryn. Ben was a studious graduate student. He worked hard, going to class, working on projects, being a research assistant and scholar. He would stay up late at night, working by the pale blue glow of his monitor, forgetting to eat and sleep. He was sustained by a steady diet of frozen burritos, ravioli from a can, and his love of Kathryn.
Kathryn was a newly minted graduate, bright eyed and going out into the world with her very first big girl job. She worked regular hours, had income and paid vacation, and loved Ben, which is why she was living in some lame college town, instead of the big city as planned. She learned that she loved to cook, and go to the markets, and not having homework.
So life was just swell for our young heros, when an exciting right of passage arrived for Kathryn: her first company Christmas party. Timid in the face of this new challenge, and endowed with a plus-1 invitation, Kathryn brought Ben to aid her, and be her designated driver. Having heard epic tales of Christmases past, she was prepared for a bacchanalian feast, where food would would be great (lobster with a side of lobster tail please!)and wine would flow like wine! Determined to be a good little professional, she would be sure to eat, be merry, and be sober.
As the evening progressed Kathryn and Ben schmoozed, circulated and generally had a nice time. Food was good, Christmas gifts and joy were received by all. Kathryn even bonded with her all male co-workers. So well, that when they progressed to phase 2 of the Christmas party, the boozy phase, she was invited to join. Remembering her desire to not get shmamered, Ben politely suggested she abstain from Phase 2. Kathryn said "Whatyou think I can't hold my liquor?" Co-workers said "Oh, so you can't hold your liquor?" Challenges were issued, gauntlets thrown and co-workers ambled over to the bar for festive holiday shots!
(From this point on we rely entirely on Ben's testimony, as Kathryn has no recollection of the following events):
As Team Coworker made their way over to the bar, Ben stayed behind with fellow sober husband, who just smiled and shook his head. While the two made small talk and compared how delightful their (now tipsy) partners were and how the Christmas party always ends up being quite the event (meaning there is gossip for weeks to come). As the men have their manly chat, talking about their ladies, the ladies proceeded to become less and less lady like with each round of shots, until boisterously, they closed the place down. At this time, Ben kindly stepped in to escort a very cheerful and affectionate Kathryn home.
What happened next is matter of much debate since only one of the two involved parties recalls the exchange.
As Ben and Kathryn make their way to the car, Kathryn declared her undying love. And then, quite insistently stated "Let's get married!" Yes, Kathryn proposed. In a loving and meaningful way (according to she-who-cannot-remember). Ben, master tactician that he is and was, politely suggested the conversation wait until morning. Again, Kathryn insisted that they should get married and proceeded to be VERY INSULTED that Ben did not want to get married. She went to sleep/passed out angry.
In the morning, true to her magical form, she awoke bright eyed and bushy tailed, oblivious to last night's discussion. As Ben arose, groggy (and perhaps a bit cranky), he cautiously asked if she had a nice time last night.
"Great!" she chirpped.
"And are you still upset?" he queried.
"About what?" Kathryn wondered.
"...um, your proposal?" Ben replied.
"HUH!?"
fin
Thus ends the story of the first time Kathryn asked Ben to marry her. This is not the official proposal story. But perhaps the funniest.
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